Xavier holds off Minnesota, 65-54

Posted: Saturday, March 20, 2010

The Associated Press

Jordan Crawford scored 17 of his 28 points in the second half, and Xavier continued its run of NCAA tournament success with a 65-54 victory against Minnesota in the first round of the West Regional on Friday at Milwaukee.

Xavier (25-8) will be in the second round for the fourth straight year, this time under first-year coach Chris Mack.

West Regional

Mack has a star in Crawford, the Indiana transfer playing in his first NCAA tournament game in two years.

But it was far from a one-man show.

Dante Jackson smothered the Gophers' best shooters on defense, Jamel McLean had 14 rebounds, and Crawford provided the highlight plays for the sixth-seeded Musketeers.

Brown's strong performance off the bench was a boost for the third-seeded Panthers (25-8), who are making their ninth straight NCAA appearance and have advanced to the round of 16 in five of the previous eight. They'll try to continue that streak Sunday against Xavier.

Gonzaga 67, Florida State 60: Matt Bouldin scored 14 of his 17 points in the second half to help eighth-seeded Gonzaga hang on at Buffalo.

Steven Gray scored 15 points, while Robert Sacre had nine rebounds for the Bulldogs (27-6), who nearly squandered an 18-point lead.